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Although for different reasons, some of the “best” animation schools are also some of the “top” animation schools—at least according to students, alums, and a bunch of ambitious bloggers! So, how does an animation school make the “best schools list?” Ask any reliable ranking organization such as Princeton Review or U.S. News & World Report and the answer is the school has to offer a variety of programs, it must have excellent graduation and retention rates, faculty resources (student-teacher ratio), excellent financial resources, and it must be selective. Peer assessment may also come into play.

Aspiring animators in Maryland have a lot to be thankful for. For starters, the state is home to one of the most ambitious film offices in the region. The Maryland Film Office manages a department called DEEM (Digital Entertainment & Emerging Media) that helps encourage the growth of companies that specialize in animation, web design, audio and interactive technology, and e-commerce. Maryland is also a major hub for the video game and interactive technology industries.

The Maryland Film Office has an entire department dedicated to stimulating and strengthening the state’s digital entertainment and emerging media community. Known as "DEEM," an acronym for Digital Entertainment & Emerging Media, the Department encourages the growth of companies specializing in animation, audio and interactive technology, web design, and e-commerce. In addition to having DEEM on its side and being recognized as a major hub for games and interactive technology, the State of Maryland is home to a large community of innovators in the computer gaming industry, a variety of successful digital modeling companies and firms that outrank others in simulation and serious games for application in the education, medical, defense, and training sectors, and primary, secondary, and higher learning institutions that are busy educating the next generation of digital trailblazers.

America’s top schools have a number of things in common. According to students, alumni, bloggers, and other similar groups, a top school is affordable and convenient, and it offers easy access to cultural and recreational excursions. A top school also has excellent job placement services and a variety of clubs and organizations. Other considerations may include student population, student life, and even Greek life.

Our 2015 rankings of the top animation school programs on the East Coast. We define the East Coast as Virginia, Rhode Island, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.

Established in 1877, Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) is home to 2,449 students enrolled in around 38 undergraduate degree programs and concentrations, and 22 graduate degree programs. Besides a large number of program offerings in the areas of Art and Design, Architecture, and Education, RISD has a large Film/Animation/Video Department (FAV). The Department offers a variety of programs for aspiring animators and filmmakers. Program options for animators include a BFA in Film/Animation/Video (BFA FAV).